Flu Shots Already?

12 years ago

I got a call from my local RiteAid pharmacy recently, telling me they have a supply of flu shots and want me to come in to get one. Seems awful early, I mean the calendar still says August, summer, right?

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Comments (12)

kathleen44
12 years ago
Its way too early as that means you get it now and it will start taking effect in september and then it is only good for 3 months so then it will wear off right in the midst of holidays and flu season and not covered, not good that is.

I dont' get mine until about November and then it is good for December, January and February.

Also many that travel will be right there in planes, etc. getting the bug and not good that will be. Wait until its way later.

I always go to doctors for my flu shot each year and when need it pnuemonia shot too.

Used to be they gave it way too early way back and the doctors then talked together and they decided November is good month to get it.

I tell the nurse to save me one so have then and she does.
linda_in_iowa
12 years ago
If I see my doctor in early September, she insists I get the flu shot then. The protection lasts much longer than 3 months, more like 6 or 7 at least.
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lindaohnowga
12 years ago
We usually get our flu shots in mid-October.
marie_ndcal
12 years ago
I get mine Oct/Nov and it depends on the area you live in. As the weather is colder, could be less germs floating around etc. Now is a bit early.Not sure how long they last, but your pharmacist should be able to tell you--it may depend on the strength and even the brand and what type.
donna37
12 years ago
Oct/Nov is about right to get them. I was a public health RN and that's when we gave them. Later on the pharmacies started giving them and the rush was on to see who could get them out the soonest and bill for them. Got to be a money maker for them, not a whole lot but every little bit adds up. They get reimbursed for the cost of the vaccine plus another $20 or so for just giving the shot. Probably more now as that was several years ago before I retired.
quilly
12 years ago
For those who are interested in getting a flu shot it's not too early. Dr. Richard Besser was on Good Morning America and said he already got his shot. This is from the CDC's website.

............."When Should I Get Vaccinated?

CDC recommends that people get vaccinated against influenza as soon as flu season vaccine becomes available in their community. Influenza seasons are unpredictable, and can begin as early as October.

It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu.

Flu vaccine is produced by private manufacturers, so availability depends on when production is completed. If everything goes as indicated by manufacturers, shipments are likely to begin in August and continue throughout September and October until all vaccine is distributed......"

Here is a link that might be useful: CDC
azzalea
12 years ago
Just last week, there was a report on that stated that the protection is good for about 4 months--which seems to be an average of what others have stated here--but that the protection falls off during that time. I wouldn't consider getting one before Oct/Nov. Flu can be around all winter, into the spring--even as late as April and May some years--so I'd prefer to have the protection when I need it, rather than in Sept. when I probably don't

It's a brilliant marketing tech for them to advertise them early--watch pretty soon, they'll be recommending getting them early, and having a booster after the first of the year--that way they get to collect twice as much money. No doubt that's where we're headed.
cat_ky
12 years ago
I wonder if they are offering them earlier this year, because the flu is earlier this year. I have just gotten over the flu, and still not 100 percent and it has been about 2 and half weeks now. I cannot take the flu shots. They make me very ill, and all my charts have big red letters, to never give me a flu shot.
Jodi_SoCal
12 years ago
I too was surprised by the in-store announcement at RiteAid yesterday that flu shots were available. I have no healthcare coverage so not getting sick is paramount but I also felt it was a tad early to be considering it. Maybe I'll go back in a month or so and get one then.

Jodi-
maire_cate
12 years ago
It does take at least 2 weeks for the flu shot to be effective and flu season starts in October.

Years ago the vaccine wasn't even available until October or November which might be why it was given later in the fall.
SunnyDJ
12 years ago
Hubby and I got our's last Friday....I do believe they also said something about a shortage again this year...I got mine early last year and hopefully, knock on wood, I'll get through the flu season again this year.....
naughtykitty
12 years ago
The news last night had a segment about the flu and that the season already started with several cases in So Calif. That might be why they are releasing the shots early this year, as the flu season started early. I get them when they come to the office. Not sure when that will be,

Flu Shots Already?

Comments (12)

kathleen44

linda_in_iowa

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